Wednesday, December 3, 2014

We are POWER (Prostitutes of Ottawa-Gatineau Work, Educate, Resist), and we are raising $10,000 to fight the stigma and discrimination that sex workers face and challenge the laws and policies that put sex workers in harm's way. The money we raise will go directly toward implementing a national strategy developed by and for sex workers to advocate for our rights. Locally, it will contribute to POWER's initiatives to combat stigma and support sex worker-positive services in our community.

Sex work is legitimate work and sex workers deserve to be protected by Canada’s human rights and labour laws. Right now, this is not the reality. POWER was established by a group of current and former sex workers and allies in 2008 to fight the stigma, human rights violations and violence that are a result of Canada’s legal and social policies.

In 2013, the Supreme Court of Canada struck down three existing laws governing sex work, ruling that they were discriminatory, unconstitutional and put sex workers in danger. Instead of consulting with sex workers to develop a response that would support our rights and serve the needs of the communities in which we work, the federal government introduced created the Protection of Communities and Exploited Persons Act (Bill C-36). By continuing to target sex workers, our clients and those who help us in our work (managers, receptionists, security personnel, etc.) C-36 continues to put us at risk of harassment, legal discrimination, social discrimination and violence.

While this is a significant setback, POWER is committed to continuing to advocate for sex worker safety and rights. In spring 2015, POWER will host a national meeting centred around sex workers and our allies to develop a comprehensive strategy to fight for our rights – but we can’t do it alone.

Our fundraising campaign will close on December 20, 2014: a year to the day that the discriminatory anti-sex work laws were struck down by the Supreme Court of Canada. Please give generously so that we can defend our rights. We need our friends and allies to join us in this fight to make sure that no more lives are lost due to Canada’s state-sanctioned human rights abuses.

Together, we can make change possible. Give today, and share this page so that others have a chance to contribute to this important campaign! Look to your right to learn about the perks that you’ll receive in exchange for your financial support. Donations start at $5 and go up to $1000.